Obstetrics and Gynecology

Obstetrics and Gynecology

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Chronic Pelvic Pain and Sexual Dysfunction

Chronic Pelvic Pain

Chronic pelvic pain refers to pain in your pelvic region, below your bellybutton and between your hips, which continues for six months or longer.

Chronic pelvic pain exhibits many different signs and symptoms including:

  • Severe and steady pain
  • Pain that comes and goes
  • Dull aching
  • Sharp pains or cramping
  • Pressure or heaviness deep within your pelvis
  • Pain during intercourse
  • Pain while having a bowel movement
  • Pain when you sit down

Several gynecologic problems may be the source of chronic pelvic pain, such as:

  • Endometriosis
  • Tension in your pelvic floor muscles
  • Pelvic congestion syndrome
  • Chronic pelvic inflammatory disease
  • Fibroids
  • Ovarian remnant
  • Interstitial cystitis
  • Irritable bowel syndrome
  • Psychological factors 

Sexual Dysfunction

Sexual dysfunction includes persistent or recurrent problems with sexual response, desire, arousal, orgasms and/or sex pain disorders. Physical, psychological and hormonal factors may contribute to sexual dissatisfaction or dysfunction.

You may be undergoing sexual dysfunction if you are experiencing any of the following symptoms:

  • A low or absent desire to have sex
  • You can not maintain arousal during sexual activity, or you don't become aroused despite a desire to have sex.
  • You cannot experience an orgasm
  • You have pain during sexual contact
Last Updated: 1/30/24